Camps set up for TDPs ahead of possible operation in lower Kurram

PARACHINAR: The district administration has set up camps for the temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) following a notification by deputy commissioner for a possible operation against the terrorists in four village councils located in the lower part of Kurram tribal district.

To secure the roads and establish lasting peace in lower Kurram, the deputy commissioner has issued a notification for an operation in the four village councils, including Bagan, Mandori, Charkhel, Ochat, Chapri and Chapripao in lower Kurram.

Camps for the TDPs have been set up at Degree College, Thall, Technical College, Rescue 1122, and a block has been allocated at the district court.

The district administration says there have been repeated attacks on convoys and vehicles in the Bagan area and its surroundings, including a targeted attack on Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud.

On Thursday, a convoy of 35 vehicles travelling from Thall to Parachinar was attacked in Bagan that resulted in the deaths of five drivers, one passenger, and two security personnel.

The district administration had said that six attackers were killed in retaliatory action and helicopter shelling, although some persons were reported still missing. According to the business community, 33 out of the 35 trucks were taken to Bagan and surrounding areas, and 12 vehicles were set on fire.

Members of the grand jirga, including Pir Haider, Laiq Orakzai, Wasi Syed Mian and Haji Noorjaf, told the media that the peace agreement was being implemented. They said that eight bunkers belonging to both tribes had been destroyed, and the agreement was being followed. However, they said that in the last 10 days, several violations of the agreement had occurred.

They warned that if the government did not take action against these violations, future jirgas and agreements would lose their significance.

Meanwhile, the Turi Bangash tribe has given the government a three-day ultimatum to reopen the roads. The roads in the Kurram district are yet to be reopened despite passage of three and a half months, leaving the population of 500,000 trapped in the area.

Parachinar, upper Kurram, has been under siege for the past 110 days, with people dying due to a lack of essential supplies. The community has urged the government to take immediate action to address the situation.

Meanwhile, a man was killed in firing in the Balishkhel area of Kurram district.

Police sources said that a man named Syed Wasim was severely injured in firing from the Khar Killay area and was taken to a hospital in Parachinar, where he later succumbed to his injuries.